Where do neutrons in the sun come from?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the origin of neutrons in the Sun, primarily through the proton-proton chain reaction, which converts hydrogen into helium. It highlights that deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen containing one neutron and one proton, is produced during this process. The conversation also notes that the complete conversion of hydrogen in the Sun's core will take over ten billion years. Additionally, it mentions the industrial production of deuterium using methods such as the Girdler sulfide process and distillation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear fusion processes, specifically the proton-proton chain reaction.
  • Knowledge of subatomic particles, including neutrons and neutrinos.
  • Familiarity with isotopes, particularly deuterium and its significance.
  • Basic concepts of heavy water production and its applications in nuclear reactors.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the proton-proton chain reaction in stellar nucleosynthesis.
  • Learn about the properties and types of neutrinos.
  • Study the Girdler sulfide process for deuterium extraction.
  • Explore the role of deuterium in nuclear reactors, particularly the CANDU reactor design.
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, nuclear engineers, and anyone interested in stellar processes and nuclear fusion.

Quantum Velocity
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If star start from a big ball of hidrogen and the all the neutron to make helium.
Thx for help!
 
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That's a fair question.

First, there was some Helium produced in the big bang, so not 100% of the first stars was Hydrrogen. But I think the real answer to your question is this:

678px-FusionintheSun.svg.png


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fusion#Nuclear_fusion_in_stars said:
The proton-proton chain dominates in stars the size of the Sun or smaller.
 
what is neutrion
 
by the way thanks for helping me understand
 
Quantum Velocity said:
what is neutrion

A neutrino is a very strange particle with just a tiny bit of mass.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrino

There are very many kinds of subatomic particles. Do you want to learn more about them in general? If yes, I'm sure that other PF members can recommend a tutorial or a starting textbook.
 
anorlunda said:
Do you want to learn more about them in general
Yes pls
 
Someone please help this person with a recommended tutorial, textbook or someplace for him to learn.
 
In the Sun, deuterium-producing events are rare. Diprotons are the much more common result of proton-proton reactions within the star, and diprotons almost immediately decay back into two protons. Since the conversion of hydrogen to helium is slow, the complete conversion of the hydrogen in the core of Earth's Sun is calculated to take more than 1010 (ten billion) years.
 
What is deuterium-producing
 
  • #10
Quantum Velocity said:
What is deuterium-producing
Deuterium is the isotope of hydrogen with one neutron and one proton. It can be produced by the reaction at the top in the diagram anorlunda posted above: two protons combine, emitting a positron and and a neutrino and turning into deuterium.
 
  • #11
Quantum Velocity said:
What is deuterium-producing

Deuterium is produced for industrial, scientific and military purposes, by starting with ordinary water—a small fraction of which is naturally-occurring heavy water—and then separating out the heavy water by the Girdler sulfide process, distillation, or other methods.

In theory, deuterium for heavy water could be created in a nuclear reactor, but separation from ordinary water is the cheapest bulk production process :woot:

The world's leading supplier of deuterium was Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, in Canada, until 1997, when the last heavy water plant was shut down. Canada uses heavy water as a neutron moderator for the operation of the CANDU reactor design.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Neutron drip and inverse beta decay are possibilities.
But it depends of its density, nêutron drip occours above a level of density that i believe only happen in compact stars
 

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